Tag Archives: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

When you finish a renovation project, you are often left with some leftover pieces and parts that no longer have a home or a purpose.  Some of it gets trashed and others get donated.  For me, our leftover cabinet doors and drawer fronts from our kitchen renovation this summer are set aside in the garage so I can give them each a makeover/up-cycle one at a time.  

A few weeks ago, I made over two cabinet fronts and turned them in to chalk boards.  

Today, I up-cycled a small cabinet door and turned it in to a wooden Joy sign for this year’s holiday decor.

 

I love the pop of red and the vintage look of this little sign!

This was such a simple project and I used my easy image transfer method that I often use for my chalk boards to create the word “Joy” so it’s a project anyone can tackle.  More on the transfer method in a minute.  First, let me explain the overall project.

I began by painting the frame of the cabinet door using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Emperor’s Silk.  The interior of the frame is painted with ASCP Old White.  I used green craft paint for the lettering and the square outline.  When it was all painted I lightly sanded with a fine grit sand paper to distress and antique the piece.  I didn’t go crazy with this step, just a light sanding was good enough for me.  Finally, I finished the sign with one coat of Annie Sloan clear wax and then a top coat of AS dark wax to give it an antiqued appearance.  

 

Now, here’s the part that makes many of us nervous — hand lettering.  Specifically, hand lettering using paint!

Easy Image Transfer Technique:

1.  I typed out the word “joy” in a font that I liked and printed it on my printer.  Here’s a printable version of the word,  Joy that I used.

2.  I turned over the sheet of paper and colored over the back of the letters using colored chalk (I used a color so when it is transferred on to the board it will be easier to see.)

 

3.  Turn the paper over and center the word on your board.  Then firmly outline the letters using pen or pencil so the chalk will transfer on to the board.

 

4.  Using craft paint and a small tipped paint brush outline and fill in the letters with paint.

 

That’s it!  It’s so easy.  Creating this with a distressed finish makes it so forgiving, so even if you don’t have a steady hand with a paint brush your finished piece looks old and authentic. 

I love how this turned out and I think it’s perfect for a pop of color in my kitchen this holiday.

 

Looking for more holiday projects?  Check out these past posts:

Christmas card wreath

Vintage spoon ornaments

How to make your own Christmas stockings

 

Happy crafting!